"Someone... come here..."
At midnight, Shen Yufeng sat up with difficulty, drenched in sweat and holding his forehead.
The room was simply furnished. A plain wooden desk stood by the window, its paper and ink neatly arranged. Incense still burned.
A landscape painting hung on the east wall, its signature illegible.
A sword rack stood empty in the corner.
The maid waiting in the room rose, soaked a cloth at the basin, and wrung it out.
She knelt to wipe the sweat from his face. "Young Master, did you have that dream again?"
Shen Yufeng took the cloth and wiped his face roughly.
When he lowered it, he gripped the sword by his bed. "Go. Tell Steward Liu to send people to search. Inside and outside—miss nothing," he said weakly.
"Yes," the maid said softly, hurrying out.
Soon, voices rose outside.
"You, search the east courtyard. Stay together!"
"And you, search outside the estate. Don’t miss a street!"
At the sound of the men outside, Shen Yufeng’s trembling breath steadied.
He rose and took a suit of silver armor decorated with beast patterns from its stand.
Steward Liu came in as Shen Yufeng was putting it on. "Young Master, why not sleep a little longer? It’s been more than half a month of this."
"You need rest at such a critical time. Your father and mother are worried too."
Shen Yufeng picked up his sword and headed for the door. "Father obtained some documents from the Disaster Phenomenon Chart Bureau two days ago. They should be in his study. Bring them to mine, and tell everyone not to disturb me!"
"Young Master, how can I enter the master’s study at this hour...?"
"Go as I say. I’ll explain to him at dawn!"
..
Four hours later, the sky began to brighten.
Shen Yufeng was still reading the documents at his desk.
Records and maps covered the entire table.
Now and then he picked up his brush and marked a blank notebook.
Steward Liu’s voice finally broke the silence.
"Young Master, your father and mother are calling you to breakfast."
"Understood."
Shen Yufeng sighed, set down the brush, tidied the papers, blew out the oil lamp, and went to the main hall.
..
"Father, Mother." Shen Yufeng nodded and sat under the curious looks of his younger siblings.
Shen Yuan wore an old robe washed pale, its collar neatly fastened. The scar on his face seemed less stark in the morning light.
He said nothing, merely lifting his bowl and drinking his porridge slowly. His chopsticks tapped lightly against a dish.
A quiet tension hung over the table.
The rest of the family ate in silence.
After breakfast, servants came to clear the dishes. Shen Yuan looked at his son. "Leave them. Everyone else, go about your work."
As head of the family, he was obeyed at once.
Soon only father and son remained.
Shen Yuan sipped fresh tea and looked up. "Another dream? What did you see this time?"
"The same thing," Shen Yufeng said. "Father, it’s no ordinary dream. It feels too real. The demon tide swallowed the entire world. And that man—I saw his face clearly this time."
"What was he like?"
"Handsome and strong-looking, with a sturdy build. He wasn’t dressed like a noble, but he seemed highly skilled in combat. His hair was very short. And a voice told me he would come to help me."
"Father, I read the Bureau’s records. The Demon Spring has been erupting for five hundred years. In recent decades, the eruptions have weakened. Before these dreams, I would have thought that could only be good news."
"Now I’m not so sure. Perhaps no Suzai has been influencing me, despite all our searches. How could one enter the Zhenguo Estate under the emperor’s nose? What if the Demon Spring is gathering strength underground? Could this world really be coming to an end?"
"Enough!" Shen Yuan slammed the table, then leaned toward him. "His Majesty ordered you to guard Jiuzhao City. Are you afraid? Afraid to die?"
"I don’t fear death. But these doubts have been weighing on me, and I must speak of them!" Shen Yufeng met his father’s gaze.
Shen Yuan leaned back, his anger fading. There was even a trace of approval in his voice.
"When I was young, I thought this world had no hope. The Demon Spring kept erupting, and no human power could stop it. Two of the Five Great Dynasties were destroyed before I was born. Our Suyuan and the remaining two joined forces, but we only delayed the end."
"Things have improved since you were born. Everyone believes the Demon Spring is running dry. I believed it too."
"Even if something changes, I doubt matters could be worse than they were. The world may end, but it will not end in your generation!"
"My son... I’ve watched you grow. You’re brave and diligent, and you’ve reached the level of a Four-Vein master while still young. I know you don’t fear death. But I’ve met many who seemed brave. Until they face real danger, no one knows what is truly in their heart."
"In your five years guarding Jiuzhao City, the Demon Spring will erupt and strike the Great Wall. You must command soldiers and govern the people. That is when you’ll learn whether you are a hero or a coward."
"I understand all that, Father," Shen Yufeng said helplessly. "But we were talking about my dreams."
"Either they come from your own fear, or a Suzai is influencing you. I see no other possibility. If you aren’t afraid, it must be a Suzai. More have appeared in recent years, even here beneath the emperor’s feet. Tanyu Temple and the Xuanjia Army are intensifying the search."
"But what would a Suzai gain by troubling me? I haven’t been affected in any other way," Shen Yufeng said.
"Who knows what those creatures will do? Those women hate the country. Perhaps because of your position they dare not influence you more deeply, and only want to frighten and exhaust you."
"The whole realm is hunting Suzai, and Jiuzhao City’s defenses matter greatly. Perhaps they plan to gather there to avoid capture and are working against you in advance."
"In any case, put it aside. I’ve fought all my life and earned His Majesty’s trust. Now he has placed that trust in you. Treasure it. I went to the palace yesterday. Worried that the journey would be too long and hard, His Majesty granted you a Wind Demon Kirin to carry you."
"It will arrive in two days. We’ll dispense with formalities. Set out at once when it comes."
"Yes, Father!"